Pasadena ISD students honored for community service

ASHLEY HOLTPasadena ISD Staff

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, April 21, 2008

Pasadena ISD awarded five graduating seniors from Sam Rayburn, South Houston, Pasadena, Dobie and Pasadena Memorial high schools with the district’s annual Vanguard Community Service Awards last night at the Board of Trustees regular April meeting.

The awards were presented to students who have dedicated themselves to community service throughout their high school career. A reception was held in honor of the recipients prior to the board meeting.

“Pasadena ISD’s educational program strives not only for academic excellence among its students but also to encourage them to make positive contributions in their community,” said Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis. “By doing so, our students are acquiring the knowledge and skills they need to achieve personal excellence and to become compassionate citizens.”

South Houston’s 2008 Vanguards are community service leaders in their community by participating in various community projects including beach clean-ups, holiday food drives, clothing drives for needy children, annual fundraising events and more. South Houston’s Vanguards are Fabiola Slagado, Phung Truong, Rocio Rubio, Darnella Holland and Eliud Castillo.

“Volunteering within the community is an important aspect of an individual’s life because it is a great opportunity for you to repay your community for all it has done for you,” said Truong. “It has allowed me to me to establish many new friendships as well as gain a sense of personal fulfillment.”

“Volunteering is a very important part of my life because it teaches me many life lessons that cannot always be taught in a classroom such as compassion, giving and the willingness to help others,” said Murillo. “Teamwork, leadership and motivation are the key elements and skills I have gained from making time to volunteer.”

Daniels said he volunteers because he believes it is essential to the growth of the community.

“I have been afforded many privileges which others lack, and with that comes what I feel is a great responsibility to enrich the lives of those whom I can touch in a positive manner,” he said. “Community involvement is an amazing way to learn about the community and is the easiest way to make a real change in the place which you and those whom you help call home.”

The Vanguards at Dobie are making a difference in their community by volunteering in activities including sports tournaments, helping local elementary schools with carnivals, aiding homeless shelters, annual fundraising events and judging school science fairs. Dobie’s 2008 Vanguards include Jennifer Vu, Evelyn Maciel, Samantha Rodriguez, Dolly Roby and Kelsey Kaiser.

“By helping others, I have learned that giving back to the community is a great thing to do in life,” said Roby. “Giving up my time to contribute to others is worth the small differences I make and the smiles I receive.”

Memorial’s Vanguards are active in their community by serving as math tutors, raising funds and awareness for cancer, helping the homeless, volunteering as coaches for local Little League teams, participating in the annual Trash Bash event, establishing the Greens Bayou site and assisting in annual fundraising events. Andrew Bohuslav, Priscilla Riojas, Brock Roark, Kayla Taylor and Lisa Vavricka are Memorial’s 2008 Vanguard honorees.

“I think it’s important to volunteer because I want to give back more than I have been given,” said Bohuslav. “When we all give a little, there is a lot to go around.”

Lewis said the Pasadena ISD administration and Board of Trustees were proud to honor the recipients for their contributions.

“These 25 students were chosen to receive the Vanguard Community Service Award because they share a commitment and sense of responsibility for their families, peers, community and country,” he said. “They are all leaders who are truly helping to build a brighter future for us all.”